PwC joint administrators have informed the GMB union that there is no longer any prospect that the Wilko business will sell to a single buyer. Instead, it advised that it is continuing to trade Wilko stores, until stock is exhausted, with all staff being paid.
In a joint statement Jane Steer, Zelf Hussain and Edward Williams of PwC said: “Since our appointment as administrators of Wilko we have held extensive discussions with parties who expressed an interest in buying all or part of the business, it’s clear that the nature of this interest is not focused on the whole group. Sadly, it is therefore likely that there will be redundancies and store closures in the future and it has been necessary to update employee representatives.”
“We know this will further add to the uncertainty felt by workers. We will be supporting staff through this deeply unsettling time, working closely with the government, Job Centre Plus, unions and large employers to maximise possibilities for a rapid return to work for employees in the event of redundancies.”
In other reports, PepCo is understood to be considering making an offer for around 100 Wilko Stores, with B&M interested in between 40-50 outlets.
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